Improvement in bustles



A. WQTHUMAS.

' Bust'le.

N0. 164,340. I Patentedjune8,1875.

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Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia U ITED STATES AMos w. THOMAS, on PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN BUSTLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 164,340, dated J une 8, 1875 application filed May 4,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AMos W. THoMAs, of

and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bustles or Tournures; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, in which is represented a perspective view of my invention.

The object of my invention is to provide a light and small bustle, so constructed that the necessary spring for restoring the bows to their expanded position, after having been closed, shall be obtained from the lower bow alone.

My invention consists in the peculiar construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, having reference particularly, first, to forming the lower bow with a circle at the point where it bends upwardly toward the waistband; and, secondly, to the combination, with this spring-bow, of the upper bows, which are attached to it, by tape or equivalent means, in such manner that they will be caused to expand when it springs outwardly.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, A represents the waistband of a bustle, having a muslin back, B, made adjustable by a cord, 0, passing through eyelets c c 0 0, &c. D D D represent a series of contour-bows, formed of light wire, and secured, by metal clamps d d, to the muslin back B, and by a similar fastening, d, to a corner-tape, E. This method of fastening the ends of the bows permits them to fold up very easily toward the waistband, but does not give them the spring necessary to restore them to their normal expanded position after they have been thus folded. The spring or elasticity requisite for this purpose is obtained by means of the basebow F, which is bent to form circles f f at the corners, whence it proceeds in an extensionrib, F, to its points of attachment to the waistband A at f f, being there secured by metal clamps. This bow F is made of stronger and heavier wire than the contour or upper bows D D D, and will quickly resume its expanded position, after being folded or depressed, as soon as impact or pressure is withdrawn. G represents a tape, (for which a cord or cords may be substituted,) proceeding from the waistband A to the lower bow F, being secured intermediately to each of the bows D D D, which will thus be drawn out when the bow F expands. G G are cords attached at the corners f f, and designed to be tied in front of the wearer, so as to secure the bustle in a proper position and prevent displacement.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. In a bustle, a base-bow, F, formed or combined with upright extensions or ribs F, which rest against the person of the wearer, and provided with spiral curves ff, arranged so as to permit said how to fold upwardly toward the waistband, and cause it to spring downwardly when impact is released, substantially as shown and set forth.

2. In a bustle having a muslin or equivalent back, a bow having its ends bent toward each other, and secured to said back by metal clamps or other fastening devices, substantially as shown and described.

3. The base-bow F, bent to form, or combined with, upward extensions to rest against the person of the wearer, in combination with the transverse bows D D, having their ends attached to a muslin or equivalent back, and a cord or tape, G, connecting said bows D D and F, substantially as shown and described.

4. In a bustle having vertical ribs or equivalent supports to rest against the person of the wearer, the transverse bows O 0, having their ends connected to a fibrous or equivalent back independently of such ribs, so that their bulge or center shall be vertically nearer the waistband than their extremities, as shown and described.

5. The rib F, extending downward vertically from the waistband, forming a base, which rests against the person of the wearer, for the attachment of the transverse folding bows D D, and bulging outwardly from the corners f f to form a bow which will fold on its base upwardly toward the waistband, as In testimony that I claim the foregoing I shown and described. have hereunto set my hand this 3d day of AMOS W. THOMAS. V

6. The cords G G, .for holding the bustle May, 1875. in position and preventing displacement, substantially as set forth, said cord being at- Witnesses: taehed to the lower extremity or base of the bustle, as shown.

S. J. VAN STAVOREN, OHAs. 13. VAN HORN. 

